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His name means calm, but Jalen feels anything but mellow when it’s time to take a test. He struggles to live up to his name because tests make his insides mushy and his thoughts fuzzy.
Whether it’s a scheduled exam or a pop quiz, Jalen worries his body will shut down, his mind will go blank, and he’ll flop. He calls it the three Fs – freezing, forgetting, and failing!
During a math test, Jalen speeds through every single problem because he must finish before the battery dies in his laptop. (He forgot to charge it!) In his haste, he makes many careless mistakes. His social studies exam doesn’t go much better. When he sees the first question, he freezes up and skips to a different question. But that makes him so nervous, he can’t concentrate or quickly recall answers. When testing time ends, Jalen is only half done.
His next big test is in science class, so Jalen decides the best thing to do is simply not think about it, prepare for it, or study for it. Fortunately for Jalen, his good friend Molly is there to offer him some much-needed support and a potentially much better strategy.
Molly reminds Jalen that the three Fs never affect him when he performs during school musicals, so why not treat a test like a stage performance. He should feel and act SHARP – Some worry is ok; Have all your materials; Ask for help if you need it; Relax; and Practice!
Will prepping for a test like he preps for a performance, plus remembering to stay SHARP, help Jalen turn his fears into focus and his anxieties into action?
With characters and situations every young reader can relate to, author Ashley Bartley offers encouragement and practical strategies to help kids manage their test anxiety, boost their confidence, and approach every test or challenge with a positive mindset! A special page written specifically for parents, caregivers, and educators offers insights and tips to support elementary-age children who experience test-related stress and worry.
Bravo, Jalen! is the second title in Bartley’s Self-Management and Me series, which includes Molly and the Runaway Trolley. The series focuses on helping students in Grades 1-6 learn how to regulate their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. She also is the author of the entertaining Diamond, Opal and Friends series, which includes these popular titles: Jasper Lizard Wants to Stay Home, Diamond Rattle Loves to Tattle, Opal Octopus Is Overwhelmed, and Remi in Overdrive.
Published by Boys Town Press
ISBN: 979-8-88907-025-2
Juvenile Fiction
Full Color Illustrations
31 pages
Softcover, 9"x9"
Grades 1-6; Ages 7-12
